Footballer dies from injury sustained during goal celebrations

The Mizoram Premier League footballer who injured his spinal cord during a celebratory somersault after scoring a match equalizer earlier this week passed away in a hospital around 7 am Sunday morning, The Indian Express reported.

Peter Biaksangzuala, 23, was a native of the eastern town of Khawzawl and played in the midfield position for the MPL’s Bethlehem Vengthlang FC, an Aizawl club.

Peter’s side had been down by a goal for the first 62 minutes of the match against Chanmari West FC on Tuesday afternoon when the mid-fielder scored an equalizer.

As he celebrated with a series of somersaults, Peter fell backward and landed on his head. He was carried off the field on a stretcher. His team eventually lost the match with a final score of 3-2.

Peter was admitted to the Aizawl Civil Hospital where attempts to repair his spinal cord showed no apparent success. He was wheeled into the ICU on Friday night and put on a ventilator. He passed away on Sunday morning.

Peter had donated his eyes during the time he spent in the hospital.